Free Pinehurst: A Magical Olympian Adventure-Young Adult Romantic Adventure/Fantasy Novel by Nicole Grane Page B

was over. No guy was going to hang out with the girl who caused extra training sessions. Why did every guy in the school have to aspire to be a slayer?
    “Now. Listen for your names and pair up. Howard—Chambers. Andersen—Thompson. Bixby—Arnold, Vandenberg—Hollyander.”
    The names went on and on. It didn’t matter. Aside from a few, I had no idea who these guys were.
    I could hear a loud sigh behind me—Roland. I knew he didn’t want to partner up with me. I actually didn’t blame him. A girl and extra training to boot . . . this sucked! I wasn’t going to win any popularity contests around here. I was just about to let him off the hook when—
    “Now, spread out and begin with basic hand to hand!” Gunny shouted.
    “Excuse me, Gunnery Sergeant Jaxson, if I might make a suggestion?”
    I turned my head to the bleachers behind me. I hadn’t even noticed him there. Sitting halfway up, looking amazingly hot in a tight black t- shirt and shorts. Antonio laid his book aside. He was the most gorgeous-looking bookworm I’d ever seen. I wondered if he was reading a romance? His eyes flickered to mine. A faint tinge of pink colored his cheeks.
    “What is it Vasques?” Gunny boomed in an unusually polite tone. I’d have to mark this day down on the calendar.
    “It seems hardly fair to pair Mr. Vandenberg up with Miss Hollyander. She’s new and will require much training if she’s to pass finals.” I listened to the words roll off his tongue. His thick accent even made his unintentional insult sound attractive. I think it was unintentional . . .? Who cared! My knees grew weak as he approached.
    “I’ll be her partner,” Chad volunteered loudly as he stepped forward. The come-hither look on his face made me want to gag. “I don’t mind the extra training.”
    A soft roar broke out.
    “No!” Roland snapped. “You will not.” He moved toward me, his eyes flickering from Chad to me. The look on his face suggested that maybe he had heard about the Chad incident . He didn’t look happy.
    It was sweet and all that Roland wanted to stick up for me, but I didn’t need his help. I could handle Chad. And anything else he tried to dish out.
    Chad shrugged. “Just trying to be helpful. You know, taking one for the team. Someone needs to roll around with her.” He took a defensive position and sneered at Roland. So much for BFFs!
    Antonio’s hands were on my shoulders, subtly moving me out of a potential war zone. He stood in front of me. His arms crossed. There was no doubt, if Chad so much as flinched my way, he was getting his ass kicked.
    My heart fluttered at that. You had to love protective guys. I blushed. He could be my shield, any day.
    “Easy boys,” Gunny asserted himself between them.     “No one will be rolling around with Hollyander . . . not unless they want me kicking their butt.” His eyes were on Chad, but the visual brought a collective groan throughout the room. Even I flinched.
    “With your permission, Sir, I’d like to volunteer.” Antonio’s voice rang above the tension. His eyes still fixed on Chad.
    Gunny laughed. Hard. “You’d kill her boy. She’s not ready to spar with you.”
    “Of course, I’d never take the advantage, Sir.” Antonio sounded insulted. “I’ll take her on as my own student, I’m more than qualified.”
    The soft roar faded into quiet whispers. They were all wondering the same thing I was. Why in the world would he want to train with me? Not that I was complaining. Visions of Antonio all hot and sweaty, pulling me close to him, ran wickedly through my mind. I could feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. I couldn’t believe I’d just had that thought!
    “What do you say, Hollyander, you up to training with a real Slayer?”
    “A Slayer?” I looked from Gunny to Antonio with wide eyes. My hot steamy daydream had evaporated. “He’s a Slayer?” He couldn’t be more than a few years older than I was.
    “Alright Vasques, she’s yours.